Friday, January 29, 2010

Ah, the days when I crouched in forts made of blankets. *is nostalgic* There were some epic forts with large pillows, various pieces of furniture, and I think we even had light sources inside so we could read. Oomi is clearly a tyro at the fort-building thing; I look forward to future efforts. Perhaps involving boxes?

Saturday, January 23, 2010

So, one of the groups I direct is Cantilena. They are a women's chorus based in Arlington, and I am having a great time directing them. They are a sharp group with a great sound and a wonderful sense of humor (thankfully!) and I am able to have them do all kinds of crazy music. This spring our concert falls on Mother's Day, so we are doing all sorts of music about mothers, from Durufle's "Tota Pulchra Es" to Irving Fine's "Caroline Million" (which is about a mother with filicidal impulses) to Eric Whitacre's beautiful "Seal Lullaby" to Zae Munn's "The Stove" ("One day my mother took a sledgehammer and pounded the kitchen stove into bits.") And let's not forget a brand new commission by local composer and friend Mike Veloso (a setting of poetry by not-quite-as-local writer, liturgist and friend Rachel Barenblat.)

Doesn't that look like fun? Wouldn't you like to sing with us? Wouldn't you especially like to sing with us if you are a high soprano? Well, we are having one more day of auditions, this coming Monday evening, and we would love to collect a few more voices. We are open to hearing all voice parts, but we are especially looking for high sopranos. So pass this around and come on down!

Friday, January 15, 2010

I had trouble understanding the architecture in this picture. This is taken in my brother's basement; this is a portion of wall that is covered with carpet. It meets the ceiling but there's a 6 inch or so ledge at the top, where Oomi likes to perch. After the wall stops at the top then there's the ledge (and then there's insulation and cement.)

Thursday, January 07, 2010

I have only ONE thing for you this weekend. Which is sad for you, but after December, it's rather a relief for me.

Besides, sometimes life is easier with fewer choices! ALL the readers of this blog can go to this one concert! You can all sit together. Oh, except how will you recognize each other? OK, everyone wear a rainbow-colored hat. Got it? Good!

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Cantilena, my own group, is holding auditions for the next two Mondays. Come join us for rehearsal; auditions will be held afterwards. I'll do a brief range check, a pitch-matching exercise, a little sight-reading, and then we'll have you sing either the selection of your choice or "America the Beautiful." More details on our website! We are looking especially for high sopranos or low altos.

I have also received a special request from a friend who sings with Chorus pro Musica to post about their auditions. They have added another audition date, Saturday January 9. Auditions are by appointment between 1 and 4 pm, and there are openings for all voice parts except soprano. Auditions will be at Old South Church in Boston. Information on how to schedule an audition, and what the audition will entail can be found at their website.

About Me

My name is Allegra Martin, and I am a Boston-area choral conductor and singer. My jobs include: music director of Cantilena, a women's chorale in Arlington; choral conductor at Lasell College and director of the Lasell Village Voices of Experience; and music director of First Parish Cohasset. I sing in the area with Anthology, Schola Cantorum, and anyone who will hire me! I also teach private lessons in sight-reading, theory, and conducting.